Off the beaten path, placed under the viaduct on the corner of 14th and Grand in Hoboken you’ll find a modern neighborhood Irish Pub. Opening its doors on Saturday July 15, 2006, owner Joe Jones (yeah, and it’s not a fake name) said they built here purposely to distance themselves from the madcap hustle and bustle of Washington Street. And a smart move if you ask me.
Jaime of The Fave told me about this place as we hung out at The Goldhawk the other night. It was getting late and I was all set to leave when I got pulled aside to talk about the band’s new website and to down a shot or two. It was then that Jaime said, “You gotta come to this new bar I’ll be bartending at soon.” Of course I said I’d go, but I had no idea she meant we were all going there right then. It was 1:00 AM already.
What happened next I can only describe as a Keystone Cops meet The Three Stooges moment. Back and forth they tried to call a cab and figure how to get to this new bar. Not knowing yet where it was, I thought it must be pretty far away. The cab came and like mad college students trying to break a record, everyone began to pile in. It was only then that I heard that the bar is on 14th and Grand.
Those unfamiliar with Hoboken may not appreciate just how close that is to where we were on 10th and Park. Believe me; it was not worth waiting for the cab. But the comedy was not lost on me and I laughed seeing nothing but heads, asses and feet crammed in the back seat. By this time there was just no room left in the car. Singer/songwriter Charles Shoopak and I were gonna just walk but the cabbie said he’d come back. I felt bad for the guy so I said, “OK, we’ll wait.”
The first thing I noticed about Carpe Diem as I walked thru the door was the smell, not of varnish or paint, but of fresh cut wood. I gazed around at the modern yet warm design, squared corners of the dark wood against the neutral earth-toned walls, the pristine floors and the fire place in the small dining room and thought, “Yes this is a very new place.” As I climbed onto the high-back barstool, I was delighted by the bounce that was still alive in its cushion.
That’s when I first met Joe Jones and teased him that his name sounded fake. He told me his goal was to create an oasis for local folks to unwind after a days work. Just like the kinds of places in his hometown of Limerick, Ireland. With all of the new residential construction on the west side of Hoboken, this joint is poised to be just the cozy pub Joe had envisioned. Plus if he keeps serving up the fine music and pints of Guinness, you know I’ll be back often.
The official grand opening celebrations will be in September when the food will also start to flow. Joe said that some of his family will be flying in from Ireland for the occasion. In the meantime, go check it out, lift a pint or two and be sure to tell ’em that Stephen Bailey sent ya.
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Carpe Diem
